Splitscreen: Boxing

Splitscreen is a series in which contentious issues are examined using an exciting new type of access television. Each programme features two fiercely opposed and partisan responses to a central proposition. In the boxing programme it is that—“Boxing is unacceptably dangerous and should be banned.” Editorial control over the film arguing that boxing should be banned was assumed by the British Medical Association while the film putting the case for boxing was made by former lightweight champion, Jim Watt. Both sides given identical production help (staffing and resources) provided by BBC Community Programme Unit and were made in isolation from each other. The running order was decided by the toss of a coin. The purpose of Splitscreen is to allow the audience to make up its own mind about a particular issue, unemcumbered by the editorial stance of the programme.